Dairy Farmers of AmericaOn behalf of Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.'s (DFA) nearly 15,000 dairy farmer members, DFA's Board of Directors and management team commend the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its 150 years of service to the nation's agriculture industries.

In recent years, support from USDA has been critical to the dairy sector. As dairy producers have faced extreme volatility in milk price and input costs, numerous agencies and programs administered by USDA have benefited dairy farmers.

Most notably, USDA used funds for additional dairy product purchases, reactivated export incentive programs and quickly disbursed emergency economic loss funds passed by Congress during the 2009-2010 low margin cycle. These initiatives, combined with others, provided momentum in the recovery of the dairy industry.

Our members also rely on USDA every day to administer conservation, marketing and market development programs, all which go toward strengthening the industry and providing opportunities for growth. USDA officials also have voiced ongoing support of the Capper-Volstead Act, which allows farmers to come together to market, handle and process agriculture products through cooperatives such as DFA.

USDA's ties to and support of this nation's farmers are critical to ensure a safe, abundant and affordable food supply. Their advocacy of rural America and focus on fighting hunger and obesity are commendable.

6.04.2012